World Cup Open Thread (Early Game Edition)
Today is the day for the highly anticipated match between the USMNT Yanks and the Three Lions of England live on ABC from Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa. The vuvuzelas are already out in force for South Korea - Greece where the South Koreans struck early and lead 1-0 as we go to halftime.
For your handy reference, today's schedule:
South Korea |
vs. |
Greece |
ESPN |
Now |
Argentina |
vs. |
Nigeria |
ESPN |
10:00 am EDT |
England |
vs. |
United States |
ABC |
2:30 pm EDT |
Inspired by this post by user Court Wenley, I bring you the Dodge Challenger commercial that just started to air and will be featured in this afternoon's broadcast.
Here's a couple of things America got right. Cars...and freedom.
This is probably Ricky Stanzi's favorite commercial. Besides the fact that the battle appears to be taking place in the Mountain West, I'm kind of partial to it as well.
Now on to your comments and observations on today's matches.
Besides the U.S game today I cannot wait to see Messi's performance at 9:30.
댸한민국! 파이팅!!
OT.
Waaaaaay OT.
...Brian's front page commentary:
Look: the World Cup comes once every four years and, unlike that other quadrennial mega sporting event, never takes time out to talk to you about polar bears. I'm going to blog about the USMNT on the front page. If this annoys you, I cannot help it.
...there will be these open threads on MGoBoard and they won't be OT (unless a mod tells me different).
Not only that, but this post features an awesome commercial showing the Father of Our Country driving a freaking Dodge Challenger into battle against the Redcoats. Are you telling me that the American auto industry and the Continental Army are OT? If so, may I see your passport please?
Seriously, if you need an "OT" to figure out this ain't Michigan football ...
are already driving me crazy, and its only day two!
General Burgoyn, we accept your surrender:
...scores and it's 2-0. Total Greek breakdown.
or is Greece just playing that bad? I am not paying full attention, so I'm really not sure.
...of both. Greece is considered a defensive minded team, so they're in a world of hurt right now.
just seem to give up possession too passively, like they freak out when the ball gets pressured. With such awesome names/hair, I expected more.
...it's Park Jisung (Man U) putting Greece in a major hole.
of the "Don't Tread on me Shirts" that US soccer is selling. I like them, but that is coming from a history major.
....for Greece's Torosidis. Forwards Samaras out Salpingidis in for Greece.
...substitution. Kapetanos for Charisteas. Striker for striker. Greece still ony have one shot for the game.
...header for Cha Chu-Young. Should have buried that.
...look totally disheartened and unenthusiastic.
...backpass to the Greek GK. He barely gets a foot on it and clears. Then the Greeks achieve the second and third shots of the games.
Greece has been sloppy and uninspired from the beginning. They may not be as good as South Korea, but it sucks to come to the largest stage and completely lay an egg.
...are earning some chances. They seem to have awaken from their torpor.
...substitution in MF. Kim Nam-Il in for Ki Sung-Yeung.
...with the Greek's best chance and Jung makes a great reaction save.
...can hope for now is a late goal to reduce their goal differential hole. Doesn't look like it will happen. They'll have to do much better against Nigeria.
...CRex, his GF and her family. South Korea earns the opening game victory and are temporarily on top of the Group B table.
G |
22 |
|
CD-L |
2 |
|
CD-R |
13 |
|
LB |
6 |
|
RB |
17 |
|
LM |
14 |
|
RM |
8 |
|
F |
9 |
|
RCF |
11 |
|
AM-L |
7 |
|
AM-R |
10 |
G |
1 |
|
CD-L |
2 |
|
CD-R |
6 |
|
LB |
3 |
|
RB |
17 |
|
CM |
14 |
|
LM |
20 |
|
RM |
15 |
|
F |
18 |
|
LF |
8 |
|
RF |
19 |
...an end to end offensive shootout between these two teams.
...you can tell by the Nigerian national anthem that it used to be part of the British Empire.
...of Higuain, Messi and Tevez scored 105 goals last season for their club teams. Not too shabby.
We're underway.
...combine at the top of the box in the first minute and come away empty. Already dangerous.
...possession for Nigeria but the shot goes wanting.
...Messi and Heguin and Heguin makes a mess of that sure goal opportunity.
This is domination early.
WOW. Argentina strikes fast
...with a shot and a great save by Enyeama.
Argentina scores from a corner!
Argentina. Beautiful goal
...makes it 1-0 Argentina with an unmarked header off the corner. Argentina look like they will dominate this game.
...is looking suave and relaxed in his suit and white tie.
...sends Nigeria streaking to goal and they win a corner.
...for Enyeama on a great chance for Heguin.
...header for Arg on a corner. Samuel heads it down but too sharply and it bounces over the goal.
...sends a drive wide.
...is getting better opportunities as this game has advanced, but Argentina seem very comfortable.
...by Messi and Enyeama saves that ball from going into the upper 90.
...for Gutierrez.
...free kick for Arg as Messi is fouled just outside the area.
Veron's shot goes sailing.
The game goes to halftime with Argentina leading 1-0.
Nigeria just can't get the ball out of their own end. Their passing in the box is also really rough. They've had two scoring chances thwarted by non-crisp passing on crosses. I feel like Argentina is about to blow this thing open.
The Greeks did not save Greece the way MSU saved Detroit
And, through the first games in two pools, the longshots in each are tied for first place
very interesting.
also, we should also start a new thread for the USA/England when it comes to that. You guys alright with that?
It'd probably be worth it. Especially as those who comment on whether we should or not will only make this thread longer. Perhaps pregame thread here, game thread separate.